Snakeskin (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

Chapter 6: Gitroy Lookhard

Chapter 6: Gitroy Lookhard

James used the Trip Jinx on Snape today while we were walking to Potions. Everyone laughed except the Evans twins, myself, and Remus. I tried to help him up, but he slapped my hand away and said that he 'didn't need the help of someone like you'. Whatever that means. Sirius took offense to this and was about to curse him when Rose scolded Snape for being rude. I don't think I've ever seen her look so irritated. While she was doing that, Lily was yelling at James for attacking Snape. Those two are quite the pair.

**

Leo was glad he had cast the Muffliato Spell around his bed before going to sleep that night. He had woken up, screaming and covered in sweat but no one had heard him. It was early in the morning, the sky was just barely tinged pink as Leo went off to shower and change into his school robes before grabbing the Map, his books – with the exception of Lockhart's garbage – and attaching his wand to his holster. He set off down the stairs into the common room before exiting the portrait of the Fat Lady and making his way down the Grand Staircase toward the Great Hall.

He stopped on the third floor, staring down the corridor before shaking himself and continuing onward and into the empty Hall. He sat down at the Gryffindor table with a small sigh, resting his head on his arms as he waited for breakfast to appear. While he waited, he took out his wand and conjured up flames, making them take the shape of tiny winged dragons that chased each other around.

"You are becoming quite proficient in your abilities, Mr. Black," spoke a voice behind him.

Leo didn't bother turning around to look at Dumbledore.

"Figured I probably should, given that they're a part of me, sir," Leo replied, frowning in concentration before a small owl joined the fray, out flying the dragons by a considerable amount.

"I am glad to hear that, Mr. Black. I was quite worried that – given the events involving Professor Quirrell last year – you would abandon your gift and neglect it altogether."

Leo was quiet for a moment before he said, "I thought about it but, then I realized, the fire saved me – saved Harry. And, in the end, what happened to Quirrell is on me, I can't blame the fire for it."

"Nor should you blame yourself," Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did what you had to in order to protect someone you love. No one can fault you for that, Mr. Black."

He gave Leo a single pat on the shoulder before walking away and taking his place at the High Table. Food appeared on the tables after that, with people trickling into the Hall shortly after. Hermione greeted Leo as she sat down beside him, taking out Voyages with Vampires and propping it open against the milk jug to read while she ate. Harry and Ron appeared not long after.

"I can't believe you two went off and had an adventure without me," Leo scolded the pair as he spooned oatmeal into a bowl. "Talk about rude..."

"Not exactly like we planned it, Leo," Harry rolled his eyes. "The barrier closed, and we didn't think we had a choice."

"You forgot you had a magical bird that can deliver messages anywhere, didn't you?"

"Shut up."

Leo gave a small snort of laughter before he started eating his oatmeal. He had only taken a few bites and pushed his bowl away when there was a rushing sound overhead and a hundred or so owls streamed in, circling the hall and dropping letters and packages into the chattering crowd. A big, lumpy package bounced off Neville's head and, a second later, something large and gray fell into Hermione's jug, spraying them all with milk and feathers.